Sometimes, all it takes is a photo: Before & After Images
A great way to share the wealth of services I can provide to a client is usually accomplished by showing my visual portfolio of completed projects. Sometimes, they have been to a home where I have worked my magic. They then have seen “in person” how a room can be transformed either in it’s entirety or with the addition or elimination of a few items. Often, seeing that visual image reassures them that they too will be able to make changes within their own home; with the assistance of lmk interiors, ltd.
I thought it would be useful to share some before and after images of some of the work from lmk interiors, ltd. I am not showing entire rooms; more specifically items within the rooms that have been reused, reworked or refinished. To see more room views that have been transformed, go to my website at: www.lmkinteriorsltd.com.
Reworked Window Treatments
We reworked these existing window treatments in a Master Bedroom. The sheers in the left photo were suspended from a wooden rod by wooden rings. They appeared outdated and saggy (about one foot of extra fabric pooled on the floor). The fabric was salvageable, so we redesigned the new treatments with that in mind. We used a traversing metal rod that was mounted into each corner, this created a “wall” of fabric when they are closed. Adding a bronze banding fabric to the top and bottom finished it off with a clean, sophisticated appearance. No more droopy fabric puddling on the floor nor off the mounting rod.
Detail of top design and banding.
Replacing Window Treatments
As in the example above, we had something to work with in order to ruse it in the redesign. In this case, the wooden blinds in the photo on the left had been damaged by too much use and could not be repaired. They also did not provide enough warmth when the family sat down in the wintertime to eat at the table. We removed the existing window treatments and designed new thermal panels that not only provided room darkening capabilities, but also provided a blanket of protection against the elements. They are on a vertical channel system mounted on the sides of the window frames that allow the treatments to be in either an “up” position or “down” position (as shown in these photographs). A coordinating striped fabric window seat cushion was made to provide comfort for seating on the bench as well.
Sometimes There Is Nothing There
This kitchen showroom space at NorthShore Kitchens Plus was not only transformed by the addition of the window treatments, but also the faux wall finish and glass tile backsplash. For the showroom space below, playing with contrasting colors for the window treatments and wall finish made for an interesting transition from a contemporary kitchen vignette to a more traditional one within a shared space.
Reusing Family Heirloom Furnishings
One of my clients redesigned her kitchen/dining room and family room area. I was engaged to transform her heirloom dining set to fit with the new environment. We reupholstered the side chairs along with the arm chairs. We also created a decorative valance for the window treatments above the sliding glass doors; coordinating all of the fabrics as well as adding a coordinating area rug.
The images below showcase a guest bedroom redesign. It began with reupholstering a family arm chair. Bedding, window treatments, faux painting on the walls and a whole bunch of decorative pillows followed!
Do We Buy a New Sofa or Reupholster Our Comfy Favorite One?
Honestly, depending on the fabric selected, a new sofa can cost the same or less than reupholstering your existing one. It is a matter of personal choice. If it has served you well and is showing wear that is beyond repair, it may be time to purchase a new one. But if it is a matter of adding some new padding to your seat cushions and covering it with some fresh fabric, than that is the way to go.
My Amazing Team
After beginning my residential interior design business eight years ago, I was quite lucky to find amazing resources early on to assist with the execution of my designs. I have been working with this team for 6-8 years now and value the incredible quality of their work as well as the integrity they demonstrate in their businesses. I look forward to many more years of using their services to provide quality, and unique designs for my clients.
Upholstering: Julio Cruz of J.C. Upholstering www.jcupholstering.net
Window Treatments: Cathy Crist of Refinements, Inc.
Faux Painting: Julie King of Samarra Faux Painting www.samarrafaux.com
As always, please feel free to contact me regarding any of your interior design needs or questions at lmk interiors, ltd. (978)335-1140 or [email protected].
MASTER PLANNING: an interior designer’s perspective
- “Where do we begin?”
- “We have so many things we want to do, but we are not sure how to go about accomplishing them all.”
- “We want to move forward, but we can only afford to do this room for now.”
This is some of the dialog I hear upon receiving a telephone inquiry or meeting with a client to discuss how I can help them with their interior design needs. Whether the project involves one room or an entire home, planning accordingly is of utmost importance. This allows the client to make informed decisions regarding budget, scheduling, specifying and purchasing.
Where do we begin?
Just like most things in life, having a plan going forward provides parameters that enable one to have a sense of the scale of a project or task. I like to provide my clients with a road map for their needs. At the initial phone call or meeting with a client I learn of what they are seeking to do with their home. Sometimes, through this conversation we discover other areas that they have been thinking of working on, but have pushed aside in light of prioritizing the task they feel is at the forefront. By sharing all of their thoughts, we can not only focus on the space they would like to begin with, but also lay the groundwork for the additional areas for the future. It sometimes makes sense to add these other areas while doing their main thoughts, just because costs may factor in that enable them to get more for their dollar in the end.
We have so many things we want to do, but we are not sure how to go about accomplishing them.
Write a list. Bullets down the side of the page with ALL of the items listed. It begins with:
- Construction: do the changes involve an addition, are we removing or adding walls.
- Will we be selecting light fixtures, flooring, wall finishes, doors, windows or heating system. I try to get a general idea of the next level of detail. Will I need to contact my subcontractors as well.
- Kitchen: cabinets, counter tops, flooring, appliances, lighting, furnishings, backsplashes, window treatments, etc.
- Bathroom: vanity, tub/shower, flooring, fixtures, flooring, wall finishes, tile work, medicine cabinets, lighting, storage space, window treatments, etc.
- Living room, dining room, bedroom or den: wall finishes, flooring, window treatments, upholstered pieces, furnishings, lighting, tables, case goods, bedding, pillows, carpeting/area rugs, artwork, etc.
My responsibility to my client is to help create this list, if they have not already, so that the magnitude of the project is not quite so overwhelming. There may be several decisions to make, but once they can see them in this format, it provides a checklist once the project begins. It also provides the road map to which I referred to earlier.
We want to move forward, but we can only afford to do this room for now.
By creating the master plan for the entire project, it allows the client to budget and prioritize what they can and want to do now but also plan for their future projects. Often times, while working on one area we come across design ideas that can be noted for the next area to be worked on. Whether it’s a fabric to be used for reupholstering a sofa at a later date, a vanity for a bathroom discovered while selecting cabinetry for a kitchen or ordering window blinds for several rooms because they were being offered at a special discount. Being able to view the project as a whole at the onset and then breakdown all of the components, allows the client to have a better grasp of the details involved with creating not only a beautiful space but also a functional one. In the end, master planning for your project can actually help save you money.
For additional questions or thoughts, please contact:
Lisa Kawski at lmk interiors, ltd. or [email protected].
Have wonderful holiday season!